Methods, apparatus and systems for pond remediation

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for extended-reach remediation of a pond by removal of pumpable materials such as deposited sediment has a base and a rotatable multi-articulated boom to which a pump is connected at the distal end. The boom has a reach which exceeds the reach of conventional remediation apparatus and may be as long as 50 m or greater for reaching over obstacles between the base and the pond. The base can be stationary or it can be mobile or self-propelled for repositioning the apparatus about the perimeter of the water body or to platforms which are built within the pond and accessible by accessways when the pond is filled with water. The pump is lightweight so as not to affect the overall apparatus stability when the boom is fully extended. Geo-locating apparatus assists with mapping the remediation operation. Further, additional accessories can be connected to the end of the boom, such as fluid jets for controlling the fluid properties of the pumpable materials and a blender for shredding vegetation or other non-pumpable materials to render them pumpable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefits, under 35 U.S.C. 119(e), of U.S.Provisional Application 61/822,998, filed May 14, 2013, and U.S.Provisional Application 61/836,365, filed Jun. 18, 2013, the subjectmatter of each being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for removingliquidized materials from bodies of fluid and, more particularly, toapparatus and methods for removing sediment and associated matter fromwater reservoirs, ponds or the like.

BACKGROUND

It is well known, in storm water and industrial liquid waste managementsystems, to provide ponds to receive contaminated water flows fortreatment prior to discharging the treated water into local watershedsor sewers, where permitted. Treatment typically entails a first step ofenabling fluid residence within the pond to allow for a time dependent,water quality improvement process to take place, such as sedimentationof suspended matter including, but not limited to, silt, sand and clay.The initial residence step may include additional treatment or theadditional treatment may be included in one or more subsequent steps,such as secondary and tertiary steps, to encourage composting, nutrientremoval and the like for further clarifying the treated water.

In urban areas, municipal water ponds typically form a water featureabout which residences may be located. Many of these constructed waterbodies, particularly those in municipal settings, are of a size andconfiguration such that most of the pond surface area is within a fixeddistance, for example about 50 m, of the pond's edge. Other ponds, suchas industrial ponds, tailings ponds used in mining or oilsandsprocessing or a variety of other industrial processes, are typicallysimilarly sized. Further, the constructed water bodies may havecomponents associated therewith from which much of the surface area ofthe pond is within the fixed distance. Over time, solid materials suchas sediment may build up in these ponds, reducing the pond's utility.Applicant believes that the sediment which accumulates in these pondstends to be of a uniform, slurry consistency.

A conventional remedy to pond sediment accumulation includes drainingthe pond in order to provide access for excavating machines andconveyance vehicles to remove and dispose of the sediment. Onecomplication to such excavation processes is the close proximity of theresidences, construction sites, landscaped terrains with trees or othervaluable vegetation or other features which may surround the perimeterof the pond and restrict access thereto by the excavation equipment andsediment disposal carriers.

In municipal environments, remediation processes are often scheduledduring the winter. The pond may be drained into the municipal sewersystem if drainage onto natural water ways is not permitted during thewinter months.

A plurality of backhoes is often employed in a chain arrangement toshovel sediment from a point in the pond to a point closer to the shoreand from there to a point on shore for loading onto trucks. The processcan, for example, take from 1 to 2 months for remediation of a typicalstorm water pond. Current cost is about $3M for removal of sediment fromeach pond. Sediment removal is performed for each pond once every 10 to20 years or so. Furthermore, Applicant believes that a current cost ofdisposing of the removed sediment is about $2M for each pond,particularly if special disposal procedures are required, such ascontaminated material landfill disposal as may be required for somestormwater or industrial water ponds.

The conventional remediation process, as described, is laborious,requires a long time to complete and is very expensive. Disposal of thedrained water may be impractical due to government regulations andpermits. Conventional pond remediation also tends to be disruptive tothe peace and enjoyment of the local residents. Disposal of removedremediation materials, such as the sediment slurry, is expensive andimpractical. Disposal typically involves a process of spreading slurryon other lands to allow the slurry to dry or thickening of the slurryusing specialized dewatering equipment.

Shoreline and barge-mounted dredging has been exploited to removematerials from the bottom of water bodies as taught in U.S. Pat. No.4,942,682 to McDowell. McDowell utilizes a self-contained, reversibledredging module adapted for use as an attachment to a conventionalbackhoe machine, thereby creating a two-segment backhoe.

Applicant believes that access to the pond surface using such atwo-segment backhoe is limited, such as to about 15 m from the shore. Asthe surface of municipal ponds, industrial ponds or tailings ponds usedin mining, oilsands and a variety of other industrial processes have asurface area typically extending much further than 15 m from the shore,a major portion of the pond surface is out of reach of the apparatus astaught in McDowell, unless the pond is almost completely dewatered orthe apparatus is supported by a floating barge. Use of a floating bargesufficient in size to accommodate the apparatus of McDowell may beimpractical, particularly for use in ponds where access is restrictedsuch as in urban settings in close proximity to residences, constructionsites, landscaped terrains and other types of access restrictions.McDowell does not disclose any sophisticated systems which might permitprogramming remediation patterns or monitoring the location of suchapparatus relative to the pond surface and perimeter.

U.S Pat. No. 4,911,831 to Davison et al teaches a self-propelled,floating apparatus and land-based crane gantry for skimming sand frombeds of slow sand filters. An auger skimmer removes sand to apre-determined depth and conveys the sand to a pump for delivery to aremote location via a floating conduit. The pump is located mid-pointalong the intake conduit away from the point of intake of the sand/waterslurry. The slurry has a preferred density of 20% w/w sand. Augur depthis tracked and controlled however azimuthal location is not. Sonar,laser, audio and camera sensors are employed to set and monitor dredgingdepth. The apparatus of Davison et al is specifically designed for sandfilter beds used in water purification plants and requires that weeds beremoved from each filter prior to utilizing the sand skimmer. Cuttersfor removing weeds prior to suctioning the sand may be incorporated.

A floating, mechanical clamshell and hydraulic dredge is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,311,682 to Sturdivant. The dredge apparatus is fit withangular and linear displacement sensors to permit geo-location for datalogging and quality assurance of work completed. Sturdivant is notshoreline based and must navigate the pond to each site requiringremediation. Sediment is removed at near in situ water content, asre-suspension due to water disturbance is minimized. High densitysediment is removed and conveyed at low speed and may require pre-pumpparticle size reduction. A pipeline speed of 1 to 2 m/s compared to theprior art speeds of 2 to 5 m/s for a slurry density of 0% to 30% arequoted. Dredging operations may be tracked and optimized byelectronically linking sensors on the apparatus to a data processor suchas a PC or a PLC. Sensors on the apparatus may include GPS sensors.

An oil skimmer for use in remediation of oil spills is disclosed inpublished PCT application WO 2012/027620 to Brown et al. A platform orvehicle having an extendable arm is fit with a fluid skimmer forremoving contaminants, particularly oil, which are at or near thesurface of contaminated bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, marshesand the like. A pump on the skimmer collects contaminants from the watersurface and delivers same to a collection reservoir, via a conduit.Alternatively, instead of a pump, a land based service apparatusembodiment utilizes a boom connected directly to a vacuum truck forsucking water and contaminants from the surface of the water.

Systems and methods for improving water quality in ponds is described inApplicant's issued U.S. Pat. No. 8,333,895, incorporated herein byreference in it's entirety, with respect to Applicant's NAUTILUS POND®.The described systems focus on enhancing sediment and/or nutrientremoval performance which are generally considered important functioningcomponents of a pond system. Typically, removal of sedimentaccumulations from such ponds would require taking an entire pondoffline for the duration of a sediment removal operation.

Land-based pond remediation, as disclosed in the prior art, appears tobe limited largely by the reach of the equipment used, characteristicsof the sediment slurry or other remediation material targeted forremoval and pond operation. These limitations are exacerbated indeveloped areas due to additional constraints imposed by architecturalfeatures, landscaping and legislative considerations. Whereas theselimitations may be overcome to some extent with the use of an improvisedassortment of currently available equipment or a floating apparatus, theequipment is complex and adds constraints of transportation, provisionof access to pond and adapted waste conveyance structures.

Clearly there is interest in apparatus, methods and systems whichfacilitate remediation of stormwater collection ponds efficiently andeffectively and at reduced cost compared to conventional systemscurrently in use. There is clearly a need for effective and efficientapparatus for removal of matter from bodies of fluid or reservoirs whichis capable of extended reach into locations having limited or restrictedaccess and/or sensitive access.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein provide methods, systems and apparatus forremediation of water bodies, the apparatus having an extended reachcompared to prior art apparatus, for use in ponds situated in urban,industrial and remote areas. A multi-articulated boom is rotatablyconnected to a base which can be a mobile base or a stationarystructure. A slurry-capable pump, connected to the distal end of theboom, is moved about the water body, such as a stormpond, by rotationand manipulation of segments of the boom for suctioning sediment slurryfrom the water body. The boom can be manipulated to reach over obstaclessuch as houses, garages, landscaping positioned between the apparatusand the pond permitting greater access to the pond thereby reducing thenumber of apparatus required. In systems disclosed herein, the waterbody may have structured platforms and accessways built therein topermit the apparatus to be deployed within the perimeter of the waterbody thereby permitting even greater access to the entirety of the waterbody for remediation operations. Geolocating apparatus operativelyconnected to the boom and/or the pump permit monitoring of the movementsof the boom and pump enabling more efficient remediation with minimaloverlap particularly when the pond is full of water. Other attachmentssuch as blenders and fluid-addition jets permit controlling of the fluidproperties of the slurry removed by the pump.

Therefore in one broad aspect, apparatus for extended reach remediationof a water body comprises a base and a multi-articulated, extendableboom extending from a distal end to a proximal end and rotatably securedto the base. A fluid conveyance conduit is secured to the extendableboom and extends therealong between the distal end and proximal end ofthe boom. A slurry-capable pump is supported at the distal end of theboom, the pump having a pump outlet fluidly connected to a distal end ofthe fluid conveyance conduit. The pump receives pumpable material at apump intake and pumps the pumpable material through the fluid conveyanceconduit to a proximal discharge end of the conduit for dischargetherefrom.

The multi-articulated boom comprises a plurality of boom segments whichare hingedly connected therebetween. The length of the boom and themaximum reach thereof is generally governed by the length of each of theplurality of segments. The pump is lightweight so as to avoid loading adistal end of the boom so much so that the apparatus becomes unstable.Outriggers, ballasting strategies and buoyance devices can be used whereheavier attachments to the pump are used. Further, at least a distalsegment of the boom can be reduced somewhat in length to assist withoverall stability of the apparatus without compromising theeffectiveness of the extended reach of the apparatus.

In another broad aspect, a system for remediation comprises an extendedreach apparatus having a base and a multi-articulated, extendable boomhaving a distal end and a proximal end rotatably secured to the base. Afluid conveyance conduit is secured to the extendable boom and extendstherealong between the distal end and the proximal end thereof. Aslurry-capable pump is supported at the distal end of the boom. The pumphas a pump outlet fluidly connected to a distal end of the fluidconveyance conduit, the pump receiving pumpable material at a pumpintake and pumping the pumpable material through the fluid conveyanceconduit to a proximal discharge end of the conduit for dischargetherefrom. A water body having a perimeter contains the pumpablematerial therein for removal therefrom using the extended-reachapparatus.

The system further comprises platforms located within the perimeter ofthe water body for locating the apparatus thereon to more effectivelyutilize the extended reach of the apparatus for remediation ofsubstantially the entirety of the pond surface. Alternatively, the pondcan be drained and the apparatus moved into the pond perimeter. Theapparatus is supported on the bottom of the pond or can be supported ontemporary supports such as swamp mats positioned therein.

In yet another broad aspect, a method for remediation of a water bodycomprises locating an apparatus having a multi-articulated,extended-reach boom for operatively supporting a slurry-capable pump ata distal end thereof at a perimeter of the water body. The boom ismanipulated for moving the slurry-capable pump about the water body, thepump recovering pumpable materials therewith from the pond. The pumppumps the pumpable materials to the perimeter of the pond for removaltherefrom.

Where the perimeter of the water body exceeds the reach of themulti-articulated, extended reach boom, the method further comprisesrelocating the apparatus to at least another location about or withinthe perimeter of the pond. The steps of manipulating the boom for movingthe pump and pumping the pumpable materials are repeated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a fanciful sketch illustrating a municipal pond undergoingremediation according to the prior art using a plurality of backhoesemployed in a chain arrangement to shovel sediment from the pond fordisposal;

FIG. 1B is a plan view model of a stormpond according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 illustrates prior art remediation apparatus improvised so as toextend the effective reach thereof, more particularly, a plurality ofbackhoe machines located in a pond and supporting an extended conduit toreach a vacuum truck located at a perimeter of the pond;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an extended- reachapparatus disclosed herein comprising a mobile base, amulti-articulated, extendable boom rotatably connected thereto and apump fit to a distal end of the boom for suction and removal of pumpablematerials from the pond;

FIG. 3B is a fanciful sketch of the apparatus of FIG. 3A, illustratingthe capability of the boom to reach over obstacles positioned betweenthe apparatus and the pond and illustrating outriggers for stability ofthe apparatus when the boom is extended;

FIG. 4A is a partial sectional view of a progressing cavity (PC) pumpfor use in embodiments described herein;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the pump of FIG. 4A having geo-locating apparatus operatively connected thereto;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the pump of FIG. 4A having a blenderoperatively connected to an intake of the pump;

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the pump of FIG. 4A with a partialsectional view of a head having fluid-addition jets operativelyconnected to the intake of the pump;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the stormpond of FIG. 1B, illustratingconstructed equipment platforms for supporting embodiments of apparatusdisclosed herein;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the stormponds of FIGS. 1B and 5, illustratingtypical sedimentation areas adjacent inflow locations thereto;

FIG. 7 is a fanciful sketch illustrating the comparative reach ofapparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein and prior artapparatus shown in a portion of a water body having platforms andaccessways therein;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a stormpond according to an embodimentdescribed herein having a network of equipment platforms and accesswayswithin a perimeter of the pond;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a NAUTILUS™ pond which are particularlysuitable for remediation according to embodiments taught herein, thesediment depositing adjacent a perimeter thereof; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the stormpond of FIGS. 5 and 8 illustrating,through circles imposed thereon about the equipment platforms, theeffective reach of remediation apparatus disclosed herein forremediation of substantially the entirety of the pond area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed herein provide methods, systems and apparatus forpond remediation, the apparatus having an extended reach compared toprior art apparatus, for use in ponds situated in urban, industrial andremote areas. The apparatus is capable of removing fluids and subsurfacesediments and slurry from bodies of fluid without resorting to prior artexcavation or dredging apparatus and techniques. Use of the terms“fluid”, “sediment” and “slurry” are used interchangeably herein and aregenerally pumpable materials removable from the pond using the apparatusdescribed herein. In embodiments “pumpable” materials are typicallythose which comprise water, solids such as sediment, silt and the like,and possibly other components which are typically lighter than water,such as plant matter, buoyant detritus and the like, and can be pumpedby a pump, such as a progressing cavity (PC) pump.

Although apparatus embodiments disclosed herein are described in thecontext of land-based apparatus, apparatus can also be mounted on bargeplatforms which are sized and structured to provide sufficient stabilityso as to permit water-based remediations.

While suitable for use in a variety of constructed water bodies,including storm water ponds and industrial waste water ponds, apparatusembodiments are particularly suited for use in conjunction with NAUTILUSPOND®, as disclosed in Applicant's issued U.S. Pat. No. 8,333,895,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems for pond remediationwherein pond configuration enables sediment to accumulate therein in aportion of the pond, the sediment being removed therefrom as aliquidized slurry using apparatus disclosed herein. Thickening of theliquidized materials on site may further enable transport therefrom.

Prior Art

As is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a municipal pond 10, such as a stormwater pond, is often a desirable water feature, generally surrounded byresidences 12. The proximity of such residences 12, or other landscapeand recreational features, limit access to the pond 10 by remediationequipment 14 and sediment disposal carriers 15.

Remediation is often scheduled for off-season, such as in winter. Theconventional remedy to pond sedimentation may include draining the pond10 in order to provide access for excavating machines and conveyancevehicles 14 to remove and dispose of excavated sediment. The pond 10 maybe drained into the municipal sewer system as drainage onto naturalwater ways during the winter months may not be permitted.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a plurality of conventional backhoes 14, equippedwith excavation apparatus, are typically employed in a chain arrangementto shovel sediment from a point in the pond 10, to a point closer to ashore or perimeter and from there to a point on the perimeter forloading onto trucks 15.

As previously noted, the process can typically take 1 to 2 months for aconventional storm water pond 10 and the cost can be in the order ofabout $3M for each remediation performed periodically, such as aboutonce every 10 to 20 years or so, on each pond 10. Disposal of drainedwater may be impractical due to government regulations and permits.Operations are often undertaken in the winter. Disposal of sediment isgenerally by spreading on other lands to dry or by thickening usingspecialized slurry dewatering equipment.

FIG. 2 illustrates the problems which lead to a need for improvements toconventional apparatus 14 and methods. Improvisation of conventionalequipment 14 has previously been required in the undertaking of pondremediation or spill cleanup. In order to extend the reach of the priorart remediation equipment, a vacuum truck 16 located at a distance fromthe point of removal, such as on shore, is coupled to an intake pipe 18through a conveyance hose 20. The hose 20 and intake pipe 18 require aplurality of spaced apart backhoe excavators 14 positioned in or aboutthe water body or 10 or intermediate the vacuum truck 16 and the waterbody 10 for support therealong. As one will appreciate, the means fordrawing up the sediment slurry or spilled fluids is located at a distalend of the hose 20 while the vacuum truck 16, connected to the proximalend of the hose 20, provides lift for drawing the fluids into the intakepipe 18 and hose 20. The lift is limited to the vacuum pressure whichcan be developed by the vacuum truck 16. The amount of lift possibleusing this type of configuration may limit the circumstances under whichsuch an arrangement can be used, including those situations where thesource of the vacuum is positioned a great distance from the intake pipe18. Such systems are typically cumbersome, laborious and expensive toimplement in part due to the number of individual machines or componentsinvolved and also due to the fact that each component is sub-optimal forthe purposes for which it is being used. Further, costs are increaseddue to the large number of personnel required to operate each of thecomponents.

Extended-reach Embodiments

Concrete pump trucks are universally used and perceived as mechanismssuitable for one thing only: the delivery of concrete. Having referenceto FIGS. 3A and 3B, Applicant has recognized that a multi-articulatedboom 22 of the conventional concrete pumper truck, rotatably connectedto a base 24, would provide an apparatus 26 having an extended-reach,pond surface access from a perimeter 28, suitable for most constructedwater ponds 10. Such is not the case with a conventional backhoe 14,since even a “long stick” backhoe located on dry land would typicallynot be able to reach much more than 15 m from the water's edge. Themulti-articulated boom 22 typically comprises a plurality of boomsegments 30 hingedly connected therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 3B, segments 30 are controllably articulated, andextended, as required, to extend the reach of the boom 22 verticallyover obstacles 12, such as landscaping, houses or garages and the like,between the base 24 and the pond 10, to reach into the pond 10 forremoval of sediment therein. In embodiments, the boom 22 is extendablefrom a location adjacent the base 24 to a maximum reach of the boom whenfully extended. As one of skill will appreciate, the maximum reach ofthe boom 22 is a function of the number and length of the segments 30incorporated in the boom 22. In one embodiment disclosed herein, theboom 22 has a maximum reach of about 50 m or greater.

Applicant has determined there is typically no need forexcavation-enabling equipment at a distal end 32 of themulti-articulated boom 22, given many subsurface pond sediments andother fine solids accumulations have a very constant, pumpable,slurry-like consistency. Further, given the extremely long moment arm ofthe multi-articulated boom 22, heavy appurtenances for mechanicalexcavation at the distal end 32 would be a disadvantage.

In embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A, a light-weightslurry-capable pump 40 is supported at the distal end 32 of themulti-articulated boom 22 to suction and remove the pumpable slurry fromthe pond 10. A fluid conveyance conduit 42 extends from the distal end32 of the boom 22 to a proximal end 44 of the boom 22, adjacent the base24, and is supported along a length of the boom 22. A pump discharge 46is fluidly and operatively connected to a distal end 48 of the conduit42 for conveying the pumped slurry to a proximal discharge end 45thereof for discharge therefrom. The slurry pump 40 may hang by gravityfrom the distal end 32 of the boom 22 having an intake end 50 positionedaway from the distal end 32 of the boom 22. Alternatively, the pump 40may be integrated into the boom segment 30 at the distal end 32 with theintake end 50 of the pump 40 adjacent the distal end 32 of the boom 22.

As those of skill in the art will appreciate, when the multi-articulatedboom 22 is extended, there is only a small tolerance for loading at thedistal end 32 of the boom 22 without risk of tipping of the entireapparatus 26. Typically, conventional multi-articulated booms, whenloaded with concrete, are designed to be able to withstand only aminimum loading at the boom's distal end 32, such as an operatorsteering the boom 22 for delivery of concrete therefrom.

Thus, in embodiments, to maintain stability of the extended-reachremediation apparatus 26, given the extended reach of themulti-articulated boom 22, Applicant believes the pump 40 must besufficiently light-weight so as not to generate any significant load onthe distal end 32 of the boom 22, over and above the pump's weight andthat of the fluid being pumped. Thus, in embodiments, the pump 40 andany attachments thereto, imparts only nominal forces at the boom'sdistal end 32 so as to avoid threatening the stability of the apparatus26. In embodiments, the nominal load is about 100 lbs or less.

As shown in FIG. 3B, to counteract the potential instability of theapparatus 26, as a result of extension of the boom 22 and pump 40attached thereto, the base 24 is typically provided with outriggers 52which can be extended and set for stabilizing the apparatus 26 duringuse.

Apparatus and methods of pond remediation herein disclosed generallyapply to removal of any fluid material having properties that one ofskill in the art could reasonably define as “pumpable”, such as with aprogressing cavity (PC) pump, which may or may not be operated as apositive displacement pump. Such fluid materials may include sand, siltand clay sediment slurry that accumulates at a bottom of water bodies10, such as storm water management ponds.

Embodiments are discussed herein in the context of a PC pump 40, howeveras one of skill will appreciate the pump 40 can be any similarly capablepump technology. The PC pump 40 is capable of pumping the pumpablematerial through the conveyance conduit 42 in the boom 22 withsufficient pressure such that flexible or rigid extension pipes orconduit 54 attached to the proximal discharge end 45 thereof may be usedfor transport of the pumpable material to a local processing unit, todisposal, or to a truck/tanker loading area for remote transporttherein.

With reference again to FIG. 2, in the prior art, a spill remediationcrew uses a conventional backhoe 14 to place the intake pipe 18 of thevacuum hose 20 in a contaminated pool, pond or other water body 10.Vacuum to lift the contaminated fluids is generated by the standardvacuum truck 16 to which the hose 20 is connected. Such apparatus cantypically only work if the required lift from the fluid surface to thevacuum truck 16 tank is less than about 10 m under ideal conditions.Furthermore, it is difficult to control how water enters the intake pipe18 as huge loads and changes in flow rate occur the instant the intakepipe 18 changes from sucking air to sucking water.

By comparison, embodiments disclosed herein typically implement anhydraulic drive on the PC pump 40, permitting generation of significantpumping pressure, in addition to providing fine control over pumpingflow rates, when enabled as a variable speed drive. As one of skill willunderstand, the pump 40 can be driven by an electric motor, pneumaticsor any other power source that supports the objective of driving thelightweight pump 40.

As discussed above, and as shown in FIG. 3B, the multi-articulated boom22 has sufficient reach such that it may be deployed over obstacles 12,such as landscaping, homes, garages and the like positioned between thebase 24 and the pond 10, to access at least portions of the pond 10. Ifnecessary, the multi-articulated boom 22 and pump 40 can be wirelesslyoperated so that an operator can be located in sight of the distal end32 of the boom 22, rather than being located solely at the base 24,enabling more precise control.

In embodiments, other optional attachments are mounted to the boom 22 orto the pump 40. As shown in FIG. 4B, one such optional attachmentincludes geo-location apparatus 60, such as angle sensors, GPS and thelike, linked to computerized loggers and monitors (not shown) to providemonitoring, records and quality assurance of work completed. A GPS 60can be mounted at or adjacent the pump 40 or the distal end 32 of theboom 22 for monitoring movement of the pump 40 about the water body 10.Further, angle sensors (not shown) on the boom segments 30 and at therotatable connection between the boom 22 and the base 24 aid indetermining spatial positions of various boom components as well as theintake end 50 of the pump 40 and may similarly be used for monitoringpurposes. Such geo-location apparatus 60 are particularly advantageousin un-drained ponds 10 where the remediation of subsurface sedimentcannot easily be visually inspected by the operator.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 4C, a blender 62 for mechanically choppingvegetation, detritus or other non-pumpable matter, is fit to the intake50 of the pump 40. The blender 62 may be of the contra-rotating ormeshing blade type. The blender 62 shreds weeds and otherwisenon-pumpable material for rendering such materials pumpable.

In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 4D, one or more fluid-addition jets 64may also be fit at the pump intake 50 for control of slurry fluidproperties or for breaking up solid or semi-solid material into pumpablematerial. When activated, fluid is directed from the addition jetstoward the materials in the water body 10 adjacent the pump intake 50 tocontrol slurry density or to form a slurry therefrom. Control of fluidproperties, such as slurry density, aids in facilitating remediation ofdrier areas of the water body 10, such as sand bars and shores.

Other optional attachments include, but are not limited to, sensoryprobes, spray nozzles, motion or still cameras and light duty, static oractuated manipulators, grasping appurtenances or other custom designedattachments that enable effective and/or efficient removal of slurryaccording to the general or localized slurry's material properties.Further, combinations of attachments are contemplated, such as combiningfluid-addition jets with a blender.

Large, heavy or unwieldy attachments that cannot safely be supportedentirely by the fully extended multi-articulated boom 22 may be launchedinto the water body 10 and be manipulated by the boom 22, or attachmentsthereto, into the desired operating area.

One such example is a bottom skimmer attachment (not shown) operativelyand fluidly connected to the pump intake 50, such as by a flexible hose.Such apparatus is generally too heavy to be supported above the watersurface at the distal end of the boom 22 when the boom 22 is fullyextended. The skimmer can however be initially deployed into the waterbody 10 in a stable configuration with the boom 22 only partiallyextended until the skimmer is supported substantially by the bottom ofthe water body 10. Thereafter, the skimmer is enabled to be gentlydragged about the water body 10 using the boom 22 in the fully extendedposition without affecting the stability of the apparatus 26.

Alternatively, where heavy attachments intended for underwater operationare to be connected to the distal end 32 of the boom 22, unsafe boomloading forces can be significantly reduced, effectively minimized oreliminated entirely through buoyancy compensation strategies.

Alternatively, in embodiments, adjustments to the length of at least oneor more of the boom segments 30 enables safe and stable operation of theapparatus 26 with the boom 22 fully extended. For example, the segment30 at the distal end 32 of the boom 22 can be shortened, such as by afew metres, to reduce the weight of the distal end of the boom 22 foraccommodating heavier attachments to be connected thereto withoutupsetting the stability of the apparatus.

Further, in embodiments, the apparatus 26 has a distal segment 30 whichis configured to receive a variety of specially designed attachmentswhich have an attachment length appropriate for the relative weight ofthe attachment so as not to challenge the stability of the apparatus 26when the boom 22 is fully extended.

The utility of the extended-reach apparatus 26 extends toecologically-sensitive areas, dams, access over embankments, roadsideareas, vicinity of forestry roads and impassable areas. Theextended-reach apparatus 26 may also be used to remediate spills.

Additional embodiments are focused on extreme mobility, such as may bethe case when remediating remote, spill-contaminated water bodies 10accessible by helicopter or other means of remote transport. Theextended-reach apparatus 26 may comprise a lightweight multi-articulatedboom 22 mounted on a high-maneuverability trailer or other form ofmobile base 24, or may comprise on-site assembled apparatus 26 forassembly onto an in situ stationary support or base 24 from highlymobile components. The mobile components include the lightweightmulti-articulated boom 22 and the pump 40 for mounting at the distal end32 of the boom 22. The boom 22 is rotatably mounted to the in situ base24 and provided the required functionality, but without the base 24being mobile. Outrigger arms 52 of such a modular apparatus 26 could beattached to anchors embedded in the in situ base 24. Alternatively,ballast normally provided by the inherent mass of the mobile vehiclebase 24 is added to each outrigger arm 52 in the form of either one ormore massive objects or reservoirs filled with water, or somecombination of ballasting strategies.

Thus, as one can see from the previous description, in embodiments, thebase 24, to which the multi-articulated boom 22 is connected, can bemobile base 24, such as a self-propelled vehicle, a trailer fortransport to a desired site or an in situ stationary support base 24 onwhich the apparatus 26, including at least the boom 22 and pump 40, canbe assembled.

Pond Remediation Systems

While those of skill in the art will appreciate, there are a widevariety of scenarios in which embodiments disclosed herein could beapplied, embodiments are described in the context of constructed waterbodies 10. Such constructed water bodies 10 include storm water ponds,industrial process water ponds, tailings ponds such as are used inmining, oilsands and a variety of other industrial processes and thelike.

Having reference again to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in an embodiment, the base 24is a mobile base suitable for successive relocation along the pondshoreline or perimeter 28. The mobile base 24 is provided in the form ofa vehicle, such as a conventional, self-propelled concrete pumper-truck,rotatably supporting the multi-articulated boom 22. The slurry-capablepump 40, such as the progressing cavity-type (PC pump) or similar, asshown in FIGS. 4A-4D, is secured to the distal end 32 of themulti-articulated, extendable boom 22 and is fluidly and operativelyconnected to the fluid conveyance conduit 42. In effect, the concretepumper is thus modified to operate in reverse of its normal operation topump slurry through the conduit 42 from the distal end 32 of themulti-articulated, extendable boom 22 instead of delivering concrete tothe distal end 32. The boom 22 is typically rotated, in operation, to aposition which is off-set to the direction of travel of the mobile base2 for increased stability. In embodiments, the conventional concreteslurry pump is removed from the pumper-truck.

Alternatively, the conventional concrete slurry pump, or additionalslurry-capable pumps are used to boost the slurry pressure in theconveyance conduit 42 if the pump 40 is unable to generate sufficientpressure to discharge the slurry therefrom particularly if the slurry isbeing delivered to a location remote from the apparatus 26.

As will be appreciated, an advantage of embodiments taught herein isreduced cost as individual components of the extended-reach apparatus 26are mature products already on the market which can be readily retrofitas described above or otherwise modified for assembly. Alternatively,whilst the extended-reach apparatus 26 can advantageously be constructedby modification of existing equipment, a purpose-built apparatus 26 canalso be constructed atop a transportable platform or self-propelledvehicle 24.

Having reference to FIG. 5, prior art stormponds such as shown in FIG.1B, may be retrofit with platforms 70 onto which embodiments of theextended- reach remediation apparatus 26 disclosed herein can bepositioned or assembled during remediation, particularly when the pond10 contains water. Such platforms 70 can be positioned within the pond'sexternal boundaries or perimeter 28. In this way the platforms 70 act toextend the effective reach of the multi-articulated booms 22. Accessways72 are provided for driving the mobile base 24 thereonto. Alternatively,the platforms 70 are otherwise able to receive and support the apparatus26 thereon. The number of platforms 70 and deployments of the apparatus26 required to reach the entire pond surface is minimized byfunctionally and strategically expanding the pond perimeter 28throughout the pond footprint. Accessways 72 and/or platforms 70 may ormay not be dry when the water body 10 is at a normal water level. Theplatforms 70 and/or accessways 72 thereto can be constructed anddressed, such as with picnic tables and other features, so as to act aspublic amenities when dry and when not in use for pond remediation.

As shown in FIG. 6, in prior art ponds 10, sediment S, shown in circlesD superimposed onto the pond surface, is deposited at areas of major andminor inflow M,m to the pond 10. The sediment deposits D may requireremediation to a diameter of 100 m or greater at areas of major inflow Mand to a diameter about 50 m or greater at areas of minor inflow mthereto.

Having reference to FIG. 7, it is clear that even when the water body 10is configured to have constructed equipment accessways 72 and equipmentplatforms 70, unlike the apparatus 26 taught herein, a conventional“long stick” backhoe 14 positioned thereon and having an effective reachof about 25 m would not be able to effectively remediate the pond 10.

Having reference to FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, platforms 70 may or may not beinterconnected by a network of accessways 72, where the accessways 72may be used to enable vehicular and/or public access, provide localizedpond cell containment or other desired functions. Accessways 72 may alsoserve aesthetic or functional purposes in the context of providing aphysical element that can be used to grow and develop aquatic and/orriparian ecosystems supporting plant communities. As shown in FIG. 5, apeninsula 76 may be formed where an accessway 72 connects an equipmentplatform 70 to the shore 28.

Alternatively, in the case where the pond 10 is drained prior toremediation, embodiments of the mobile, extended-reach apparatus 26 canbe deployed strategically within the pond perimeter 28 to permit accessto substantially the entirety of the pond footprint. Temporarystructures such as swamp mats or gravel road beds (not shown) can beused to support the apparatus 26 when driven into the drained pond 10.Alternatively, the base of the pond 10 may be constructed in such amanner as to provide a stable base to support the apparatus 26 forremediation from within the pond perimeter 28.

Having reference again to FIG. 3A, in embodiments, the extension conduit54 is fluidly connected to the discharge end 45 of the slurry conveyanceconduit 42 to deliver the pumped slurry to disposal carriers positionedadjacent the base 24 or the platform 70 or stationed some distance away.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the extension conduit 54 can deliverpumped slurry to other desired destinations, such as local processing ordisposal facilities 80. In this way, pond sediment slurry, extracted bythe extended-reach apparatus 26, can be conveyed from the pond 10 tolocations spaced away from the pond 10, such as to trucks 15 stationedalong roads 82 which may not have direct access to the pond 10, butwhich typically encircle the pond 10 in urban areas. Residences 12 aretypically located adjacent the road 82, sandwiched between the road 82and pond 10. While the extended-reach apparatus 26 can typically bedeployed adjacent the pond 10 through a provided, pond access 84,discharge of sediments are not so restricted. The extension conduit 54,connected to the conveyance conduit 42 can be deployable betweenresidences 12 or other non-vehicle accessways.

As one of skill will appreciate, local processing facilities 80, whetherpermanent or mobile, can be used. Such facilities 80 can, for example,permit significant dewatering of the recovered slurry, reducing thevolume and thus the cost of transporting material to another location.The drier material is also more conveniently transported. Alternatively,dewatered slurry may be useful onsite in the construction of retrofitberms, equipment platforms within the pond perimeter, and the like.Where available, recovered slurry may be pumped to a local storage areafor temporary or permanent disposal.

Pond Remediation Methods

In accordance with the embodiments of the extended-reach apparatus 26,methods for pond sediment remediation described herein are enabled.

As one of skill will understand, using embodiments of the apparatus 26taught herein, remediation methods can be performed regardless whetherthe pond 10 is drained or not, or at what level the pond 10 is filled.Applicant believes that the extended-reach apparatus 26 is capable ofremoving high density pumpable sediment when the PC pump 40 is used. Onesuch pumpable slurry comprises about 40% w/w solids. Further, the pump40 is capable of removing materials from the water body 10 which arelighter than the water therein. Thus, any pumpable slurry formed of highdensity sediment and low density materials can be removed. In drainedsituations, or where pond levels are very low, advantageously the burdenon waste disposal in downstream processing is reduced as the amount ofwater incorporated in the slurry is significantly reduced.

In embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3B, 5, 7 and 8, to remediate a waterbody 10, an embodiment of the extended-reach apparatus 26 is driven orotherwise located onto the perimeter or shoreline 28 thereof or onto aplatform 70 located within the perimeter 28. The extended-reachapparatus 26 is positioned in a stable attitude, generally withoutriggers 50 deployed to counter moment loads, such as depicted in FIG.3B. The extendable multi-articulated boom 22 is extended over the watersurface with the pump 40 positioned over an area of sediment or othermaterials to be removed. The position of the pump 40 is geo-located ifembodiments comprising geo-location equipment 60 are being used.

Upon operation of the boom 22 and the pump 40, sediment and associatedmatter is pumped from the pond 10 and conveyed, via the slurryconveyance conduit 42 and extension 54 thereto, to disposal trucks 15that may be stationed some distance away or to local processingfacilities 80 or other desired locations. Through extension, retractionand rotation operations of the extendable, articulated boom 22, theslurry-capable pump 40 can be successively relocated about the pond 10to the extent of the extended-reach boom 22, such as in a controlledpattern, to reduce remediation overlap and maximize efficiency. Minimumload is required to manipulate the pump 40 to each new location, thematerial through which the pump 40 is moved being of a slurry-likeconsistency.

Where the geo-location equipment 60 is used, location data indicative ofremediation patterns can be logged and saved to a computer for recordkeeping and quality assurance reporting. Other electronic records may bemade using conventional recording equipment such as cameras, depthmonitors and other sensors, to further assist with management of theremediation.

If the size of the pond 10 is sufficiently large, after an operation toremove sediment from one portion of the pond 10, to the maximumpractical reach of the extendable multi-articulated boom 22 iscompleted, the apparatus 26 is relocated to another location on theperimeter 28 or platform 70 located within the pond perimeter and theoperation is repeated.

As shown in FIG. 9, a particular pond configuration known as a NAUTILUSPOND® which is described in detail in Applicant's corresponding U.S.Pat. No. 8,333,895, has a tangential inlet 100, a central outlet 102 anda generally peripheral vortex-flow for preferential deposition ofsediment S about the perimeter 28 of the pond 10. The predominantlyperipheral sedimentation patterns S are particularly well suited forremediation using the embodiments described herein.

In the case where the pond 10 has been drained, the extended-reachapparatus 26 can be relocated to temporary structures or roadways formedin the pond 10 or simply to a desired location of the bed of the pond10, if so constructed to support the apparatus 26, and the operation asdescribed is repeated.

FIG. 10 illustrates through circles superimposed on the pond footprint,each having a radius of about 50 m, most, if not all, of the water bodyfootprint area is accessible by the embodiments of extended-reachapparatus 26 taught herein, particularly when situated on strategicallylocated equipment platforms 70 within the pond perimeter 28.

In embodiments, the platforms 70 are sized about 12 m×about 15 m. As oneof skill in the art will realize, the size of platforms 70 isillustrative only. The platforms 70 will vary in size depending on anumber of factors, including the kind and size of the base 24 used, siteaccess restrictions, site specific boom-reach requirements or otherfactors to be considered on a project by project basis.

The Embodiments in which an Exclusive Property or Privilege is claimedare Defined as Follows:
 1. Apparatus for extended reach remediation of awater body comprising: a base; a multi-articulated, extendable boomextending from a distal end to a proximal end rotatably secured to thebase; a fluid conveyance conduit secured to the extendable boom andextending therealong between the distal end and proximal end of theboom; and a slurry-capable pump supported at the distal end of the boom,the pump having a pump outlet fluidly connected to a distal end of thefluid conveyance conduit, the pump receiving pumpable material at a pumpintake and pumping the pumpable material through the fluid conveyanceconduit to a proximal discharge end of the conduit for dischargetherefrom.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the multi-articulatedboom comprises a plurality of boom segments hingedly connectedtherebetween, a maximum reach of a distal end of the boom beingdetermined by a length of each of the plurality of segments.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the slurry-capable pump imposes a nominalload on the distal end of the boom, when extended from the base, formaintaining stability of the apparatus.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the slurry-capable pump is a progressing cavity type pump. 5.The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising; geo-locating equipmentoperatively connected to the pump for positioning the pump intake tominimize remediation overlap and maximize efficiency.
 6. The apparatusof claim 1 further comprising outriggers operatively connected to thebase for stability thereof when deployed therefrom.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising: a blender operatively and fluidly connectedto the pump intake for rendering non-pumpable materials pumpabletherethrough.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: one ormore fluid-addition jets operatively connected to the pump intake forcontrolling at least a density of the slurry at the pump intake.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8 wherein the fluid from the one or morefluid-addition jets forms the slurry with solid or semi-solid materialsin the water body.
 10. A system for remediation comprising: an extendedreach apparatus having a base; a multi-articulated, extendable boomhaving a distal end and a proximal end rotatably secured to the base; afluid conveyance conduit secured to the extendable boom and extendingtherealong between the distal end and the proximal end thereof; and aslurry-capable pump supported at the distal end of the boom the pumphaving a pump outlet fluidly connected to a distal end of the fluidconveyance conduit, the pump receiving pumpable material at a pumpintake and pumping the pumpable material through the fluid conveyanceconduit to a proximal discharge end of the conduit for dischargetherefrom; and a water body having a perimeter and containing thepumpable material therein for removal therefrom using the extended-reachapparatus.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the perimeter supports theextended reach apparatus thereon.
 12. The system of claim 10 wherein thewater body further comprises: one or more platforms located within theperimeter of the water body for supporting the extended reach apparatusthereon, the one or more platforms being connected to the perimeter foraccess thereto.
 13. The system of claim 10 further comprising a stablebottom of the water body for supporting the extended reach apparatusthereon when the water body is drained.
 14. The system of claim 10further comprising temporary structures located on the bottom of thewater body for supporting the extended reach apparatus thereon.
 15. Thesystem of claim 10 wherein the base is a mobile base.
 16. The system ofclaim 10 wherein the base is a stationary base located about or withinthe perimeter of the water body; and the multi-articulated, extendableboom, the fluid conveyance conduit and the slurry-capable pump aremodular components for assembling on the stationary base for forming theextended-reach apparatus.
 17. The system of claim 10 wherein the waterbody is a NAUTILUS POND®, having a tangential inlet, a central outletand a generally peripheral vortex- flow for preferential deposition ofsediment about a perimeter of the pond.
 18. The system of claim 10further comprising onsite processing facilities for receiving thepumpable materials from the fluid conveyance conduit at least fordewatering thereof.
 19. A method for remediation of a water bodycomprising: locating an apparatus having a multi-articulated,extended-reach boom for operatively supporting a slurry-capable pump ata distal end thereof at a perimeter of the water body; manipulating theboom for moving the slurry-capable pump about the water body, the pumprecovering pumpable materials therewith from the pond; and pumping thepumpable materials from the pump to the perimeter of the pond forremoval therefrom.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the perimeter ofthe water body exceeds the reach of the multi-articulated, extendedreach boom, the method further comprising; relocating the apparatus toat least another location about or within the perimeter of the pond; andrepeating the steps of manipulating the boom for moving the pump andpumping the pumpable materials.
 21. The method of claim 19 wherein themanipulating the boom further comprises: manipulating the boom formoving the slurry pump in a pattern for minimizing overlap ofremediation of the water body.
 22. The method of claim 19 furthercomprising: monitoring the movement of the slurry pump about the waterbody for mapping the movement for minimizing overlap of remediation ofthe water body.
 23. The method of claim 19 further comprising:mechanically blending non-pumpable materials in the water body forrendering the non-pumpable materials pumpable.
 24. The method of claim19 further comprising: controlling fluid properties of the pumpablematerials using one or more fluid-addition jets operatively connected toan intake of the pump for rendering the non-pumpable materials pumpable.